Automatic solution dispensing paper fixture

ABSTRACT

A device for sanitation is provided whereby the device has a holder configured for mounting and dispensing a conventional roll of paper, a reservoir configured with an inlet and an outlet, whereby the reservoir holds a dispensing solution, a dispensing system for dispensing the dispensing solution through the reservoir outlet, an actuator operatively associated with the dispensing system; and a device outlet configured to deliver the solution from the device once the actuator initiates the dispensing system.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/072,762 filed Nov. 5, 2013 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The bathroom sanitation market currently offers hands-free soap dispensing products for washing of the hands. The market also offers pre-moistened wipes for cleansing of the genitals and buttocks. Currently a consumer utilizes both dry toilet paper and pre-moistened wipes for cleansing. The present invention has developed a system for dispensing sanitation liquid on to existing toilet paper, in a hands-free method, thereby combining the previous need for two separate products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The configuration of the present invention provides a toilet paper wall fixture with infrared sensing technology which holds sanitation liquid for on-demand dispensing on to toilet paper.

In one embodiment, the invention is a device for sanitation comprising:

-   -   a holder configured for mounting and dispensing a conventional         roll of paper;     -   a reservoir configured with an inlet and an outlet, whereby said         reservoir holds a dispensing solution;     -   a dispensing system for dispensing the dispensing solution         through the reservoir outlet;     -   an actuator operatively associated with said dispensing system;         and     -   a device outlet configured to deliver the solution from the         device once the actuator initiates the dispensing system.

The paper roll is selected from roll of paper towel, roll of toilet paper, or any other rolled paper configuration to be used in the device.

The device has a holder that is configured to be removable and replaceable. In one embodiment, the holder is a replaceable cylindrical spindle configured to be inserted through the central cavity of a paper roll.

In one embodiment, the device reservoir holds between 3 to 8 fluid ounces of dispensing solution, preferably 3 to 7 fluid ounces.

The device dispensing solution has a dynamic viscosity between 1500 to 6500 cP and the solution contains at least one of an antimicrobial component, antibacterial component, anti-viral component, or combinations thereof.

The device dispensing system includes at least one pump which, in one embodiment is at least one reciprocating positive displacement pump. In one embodiment the reciprocating positive displacement pump is a piston pump. The actuator is a manually operated actuator, a motion controlled actuator, or combinations thereof. A preferred embodiment includes an IR sensor operatively associated with the actuator.

One embodiment of device provides the device outlet being positioned to deliver dispensing solution onto the paper roll.

Also contemplated is a method of dispensing solution onto a paper roll, said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a device according to the invention disclosed herein;     -   filling the device reservoir with dispensing solution;     -   placing a paper roll onto the holder of the device;     -   actuating the actuator to dispense the dispensing solution; and     -   outputting the dispensing solution from the device output onto         the paper roll.

The present invention contemplates, inter alia, the following as representative improvements:

-   -   Proper ergonomic design for dispensing of sanitation liquid to         toilet paper.     -   An existing infrared sensing mechanism and displacement pump for         sensing a user's hand and dispensing 0.07 ounces of sanitation         liquid per use.     -   A removable and refillable reservoir for holding 6.5 ounces of         sanitation liquid.     -   A wall mountable fixture for housing the dispensing mechanism         and holding standard rolls of toilet paper.     -   Easily replaceable AA batteries, including an On/Off switch.     -   An “Always On” design which is always ready for use.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a toilet paper dispenser comprising:

a standard toilet paper roll; an existing, AA powered, Infrared sensing and displacement pump mechanism internal of the outer housing; tubing connecting the pump to the distribution nozzle; a removable and refillable reservoir for holding 6.5 ounces of sanitation liquid that connects to the displacement pump; a battery holder with three AA batteries connected to the displacement pump; an external On/Off switch connected to the displacement pump; and a wall mounting plate that connects to the outer housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a separated perspective view of the components of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a separated perspective view of the sanitation liquid reservoir of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the sanitation liquid reservoir connected to the displacement pump of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the outer housing of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal components of the dispenser of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the wall mounting plate of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the AA battery housing.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the removable top outer housing of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a hand breaking the infrared beam to dispense sanitation liquid.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the path of the sanitation liquid from the reservoir to the distribution nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a combination hands-free sanitation liquid dispenser and toilet paper holder having a particularized configuration whereby the configuration results in combining both dry toilet paper and the ability to create a moistened wipe in one device.

Unit 10 is assembled of component parts including module 12 that includes each of a displacement pump and infrared module constructed and arranged to be mounted in outer housing 16. Outer housing 16 is configured to mate with top housing 18 by allowing top housing 18 to mount outer housing 16. Top housing 18 includes a mounting and routing mechanism 18 that is constructed and arranged to firmly snap onto outer housing 16. Reservoir 20 slides into outer housing 16 and mounts to module 12.

Paper roll 14, shown in the figures as a toilet paper roll, is configured with module 12 to nest with in the inner cavity of outer housing 16.

Battery door 30 is configured to snap into battery holder 28. Battery holder 28 is configured to nest into outer housing 16 and is operatively connected to the displacement pump of module 12. The male-female connection of 28 to housing 16 is any one of screw fit, snap fit, and the like.

Outer housing 16 is configured to connect to wall plate 22 via two screws. Wall plate 22 is mounted to a wall using two screws prior to assembling outer housing 16 to wall plate 22.

Outer housing 16 has two press fit holes for infrared led module 12 and distribution head 26. Outer housing 16 has a screw fit hole for On/Off switch 24.

Reservoir assembly 20 is formed with a reservoir body 32 that defines an interior cavity into which a dispensing solution is placed. Reservoir body 32 is configured with a reservoir valve 34 reservoir 36 whereby said 36 positions valve 34 onto reservoir outlet 35. A distribution head mount 38 is a fixed atop reservoir 36 whereby distribution head mount 38 has head mount orifice 37 for supporting device distribution outlet nozzle 42 and providing a pathway for dispensing solution to exit reservoir 36 through reservoir outlet 35 though distribution outlet 42. In one embodiment, outlet 42 has at its terminal and a distribution nozzle 40 for atomizing and or distributing dispensing solution exiting device 10 through distribution to outlet 42. In one embodiment, mounting plate 22 is affixed to device 10 and is constructed to mount device 10 on a surface, such as a wall or other desired mounting surface.

In use, reservoir cover 18 is removed and a dispensing solution is placed within reservoir body 32. Housing 18 is replaced. In one embodiment, a user will place a hand in the path of an infrared sensor as demonstrated in FIG. 10, and the infrared sensor beam infrared sensor will actuate the device pump. In one embodiment, the actuation is on a delay of 1-5 seconds in order that the dispensing solution is deposited on the paper below outlet 42. Dispensing solution will exit its reservoir 32 in a metered amount through reservoir valve 34 travels through device output distribution tube 42 and ultimately distribute dispensing solution on to paper roll 14.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A device for sanitation comprising: a holder configured for mounting and dispensing a conventional roll of paper; a reservoir configured with an inlet and an outlet, whereby said reservoir holds a dispensing solution; a dispensing system for dispensing the dispensing solution through the reservoir outlet; an actuator operatively associated with said dispensing system; and a device outlet configured to deliver the solution from the device once the actuator initiates the dispensing system.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said paper is selected from roll of paper towel or roll of toilet paper.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said holder is configured to be removable and replaceable.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein said reservoir holds between 3 to 8 fluid ounces of dispensing solution.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said dispensing solution has a dynamic viscosity between 1500 to 6500 cP.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said dispensing solution contains at least one of an antimicrobial component, antibacterial component, anti-viral component, or combinations thereof.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said dispensing system includes at least one pump.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said dispensing system includes at least one reciprocating positive displacement pump.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein said reciprocating positive displacement pump is a piston pump.
 10. The device of claim 1 wherein said actuator is a manually operated actuator, a motion controlled actuator, or combinations thereof.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein said device outlet is positioned to deliver dispensing solution onto said paper roll.
 12. A method of dispensing solution onto a paper roll, said method comprising the steps of: providing a device according to claim 1; filling the device reservoir with dispensing solution; placing a paper roll onto the holder of the device; actuating the actuator to dispense the dispensing solution; and outputting the dispensing solution from the device output onto the paper roll.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the paper is selected from roll of paper towel or roll of toilet paper.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the filling of the reservoir includes filling between 3 to 8 fluid ounces of dispensing solution.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the actuating is activating a dispensing system that includes at least one pump.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the actuating is activating a dispensing system that includes at least one reciprocating positive displacement pump.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the actuating is activating a dispensing system that includes at least one reciprocating positive displacement piston pump.
 18. The device of claim 1 wherein said actuator is a manually operated actuator, a motion controlled actuator, or combinations thereof. 